The Role of Small and Medium ForestE Enterprise Associations in Reducing Poverty

摘要

Small and medium forest enterprise (SMFE) associations can and do work where there is little else available to improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty, and therefore warrant support. Three priority areas require attention: 1. Make associations easy and fair: In many countries the formal registration of different forms of association is still overly bureaucratic or centralized, and existing policies often marginalize SMFEs. Policy makers should find ways to reduce administrative hurdles and channel support through small and medium forest enterprise associations. 2. Subsidize information, training and association networks: Communication networks and support programs can provide information and training on registration procedures, available finance, market trends, technological innovations, etc. Finding ways to support networking through trade fairs, workshops and seminars could also be very useful. 3. Develop market mechanisms that distinguish and reward local forest enterprise associations in the market: Market access is a perennial problem for local forest enterprise associations. Creating mechanisms that allow SMFEs to distinguish their products and get better prices for them is a central issue.